Buick Invitational:Brandt Snedeker was two-under-par for the day and had increased his lead to four strokes by the midway point in the second round of the Buick Invitational in San Diego, California last night. Charlie Wi, who began the day on nine under, was even par through five holes.

Snedeker, who is a rookie on the PGA Tour, is playing the much more difficult South Course. He began the day 11-under-par, but had made two birdies through six holes.

On the third hole, he made a 40-foot birdie putt and, on the par-five sixth hole, he reached the green in two shots and two-putted from 15 feet.

Tiger Woods, who is also on the South Course, was even par for his round through eight holes. He made a bogey on the second hole, but got it back with a birdie on the sixth.

Woods is making his first start of the year and trying to win his seventh consecutive PGA Tour event.

Justin Rose continued his pursuit of surprise leader Snedeker. Rose, third last week in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, was still in the hunt, five behind and joint 14th at six under with Woods.

But Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and British trio Ian Poulter, Greg Owen and Brian Davis were among those battling to survive the halfway cut.

Woods was pleased with his first round of the year despite tour rookie Snedeker grabbing the limelight.

Woods carded two eagles and four birdies on his return to golf at Torrey Pines on Thursday - but he did not even come close to matching the performance of his fellow American.

The 26-year-old equalled the North Course record for a two-stroke lead over Wi, while defending champion Woods, seeking his seventh successive victory on his home circuit, finished the day five behind.

"He (Snedeker) was eight under at seven (holes) at the time. We all said, 'okay, that might look like a misprint'. It came up again, so obviously it was not a misprint," said Woods.

"I thought I did really well. I thought I drove it really consistently all day, a couple loose iron shots here and there, but once I got my speed on the greens and got adjusted to the speed, I was able to make some putts."

"I played phenomenal," said Snedeker, after his first round. "I got a lot of breaks out there and it was a lot of fun. When I made the turn I was nine under, through nine and I tried to tee the ball up on number one (his 10th hole) and the ball fell out of my hand I was shaking so bad. That's when I knew I had a chance."